To Have A Heart (A New Adventure Begins - Star Elite 7)

“They are scared,” Callum hissed. “Just keep quiet.”

He took a quick look behind them only to find a still and silent watchfulness that was alarming. All about them the town fell silent in a way that made him wonder if he and Mallory had encroached on some special occasion or, worse, a wake. It was only the brilliantly adorned market stalls that assured him that today was just an ordinary day.

“Do you think Melrose is here?”

“I think we have to assume that if he isn’t here right now, he has been here recently. Or, the villagers might suspect we have something to do with him.”

Mallory felt her empty stomach lurch at the thought that Melrose might be lying in wait for her.

“Should I get down? We are riding through the town where anybody can see me. If Melrose has told people that I have escaped, or am a thief or something, we are showing everyone in the town not only where I am but that I am with you.”

“We have to stay on Horace because he is the fastest way out of here if this lot turn aggressive.”

Callum wound his arms tighter around Mallory to make it clear to her that she was going nowhere. His gaze scanned the crowd, looking for furtive movements, or men signalling to each other.

“What do we do?”

“We have to go back,” he corrected.

But when he glanced back over his shoulder again it was to find that the crowd had closed ranks behind them, effectively blocking their escape route. The only way they could go now was forward, through the silently parting throng of unwelcoming strangers.

“If anything happens to me, try to stay on Horace. Kick everyone out of the way who tries to approach you and keep him running for as long as possible. Stay off the roads and go across the fields until you reach Ribberton. Once there, go to the Old Orchard House.”

“I am not leaving you,” Mallory interrupted.

“You have to get out of here, Mallory,” Callum insisted.

When he looked at her, Callum discovered that he was so close their noses almost bumped together. Without hesitation, he gave in to temptation and dropped a gentle kiss onto Mallory’s lips. He didn’t care who was watching, or what they thought of the bold display. Instead, he cuddled her closer and glared defiantly at anyone who dare meet his gaze.

“You are strong. You are brave. You can do this, Mallory. Just don’t let last night come to nothing. Don’t let them recapture you. Get out of here,” he growled under his breath. “No matter what happens to me, fight your way out of here. I am armed and am fully capable of killing them if I need to. You cannot. You must keep going. I will catch you up. Just get to the Old Orchard House. There are men there who will help you. Tell them what has happened, and were I was when you last saw me. They will send out a team to fetch me. You must help me, Mallory. I can do this, but I need you to co-operate. We don’t have time to argue and bicker about who is going to do what.”

In the uncomfortable atmosphere of the town it was difficult for even Mallory to not look at Callum suspiciously. She almost wished they could stop so she could ask one of the villagers what the problem was. Before she could, an elderly man caught their attention.

“Do you know him?” Mallory breathed into Callum’s ear when the aged man slowly shook his head, as if warning them against the wisdom of continuing down the road they were on.

The crowd who had parted to make way for them to pass through suddenly closed ranks effectively blocking their escape once more.

Mallory and Callum shared a worried look.

When Callum looked at the old man again, he saw that the elderly gentleman was looking pointedly at the milling throng to their right. With a scowl, Callum followed the direction of the man’s pointed stare.

“Something is there we need to be wary of,” he breathed.

He had no idea how he knew because not a word had been said, but Callum had no doubt in his mind he was right, especially when he turned to look at the old man once more only to find that he had vanished.

“Over there,” Mallory gasped.

When Callum looked at her, she pointed to a handful of men who were rapidly forging a way through crowd who appeared reluctant to part for them.

A deathly silence settled over everyone as they waited to see what would happen.

“Get down.”

Callum slid down and lifted Mallory down before leading Horace behind a stall. In that moment, one of two large doors leading to a courtyard beside them opened.

“In here.”

An elderly woman was waving frantically at them. Callum studied the large and empty yard behind the doors but could see no reason not to trust the woman, especially when he could see another door at the rear of the yard.